Despite liberal import regime for reconditioned cars, auto manufactures in the country have increased locally manufactured cars prices from 26 per cent to 69 per cent during the last four years, Pakistan Today learnt on Monday.
The manufacturers claim that Pak rupee depreciation against Japanese yen and US dollar is the basic reason of massive price increase. In addition, inflation, high energy and labour costs compelled manufacturers increase passenger vehicle prices, manufacturers underline.
Official documents made available to Pakistan Today indicate that in a recent National Assemble session MNA Shaikh Rohale Asghar asked the Senior Minister for Industries Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi to present the model-wise details of price increase since 2008. In response the query, Ministry of Industry compiled model-wise price statistic of all locally manufactured passenger vehicles, which indicates that manufacturers increased cars prices up to 69.14 per cent. The Ministry of Industries data shows that Indus Motor Company’s Daihatsu Cuore CX witnessed the highest increase of 69.13 per cent, while the lowest increase of 26.19 per cent was witnessed in the price of Honda Civic i-VTEC MT. Manufacturer wise price data shows that Pak Suzuki Motors Company had increased its all products price by nearly 50 per cent during the last four years. Data shows that Suzuki Mehran VX was available at Rs352,000, which was now being sold at Rs520,000 after an increase of Rs168,000 or 47.73 per cent. Similarly, Mehran VXR Rs572,000 after an increase of Rs174,000, Mehran VX CNG Rs591,000 after an increase of Rs193,000, Mehran VXR CNG Rs640,000 after an increase of Rs196,000, Alto VXR Rs737,000 after an increase of Rs232,000 and Alto VXR CNG Rs821,000 after an increase of Rs267,000 or 48.19 per cent. Official data shows that Suzuki Cultus VXR CNG is available at Rs1,015,000 after an increase of Rs338,000, Liana RXI MT Rs1,332,000 after an increase of Rs496,000, Liana RXI MT CNG Rs1,411,000 after an increase of Rs511,000 and Suzuki Swift DX and Swift DLX are being sold at Rs1,096,000 and Rs1,176,000, respectively. Ministry of Industries compiled data highlights that Indus Motors Company increased its products prices from 46.48 per cent to 69.14 per cent. It indicates that Corolla Xli was being sold at Rs930,000 which was now available at Rs1,474,000 after an increase of Rs544,000 or 58.49 per cent. Corolla Xli (Ecotec), which was introduced in 2011 is available at Rs1,599,000, while Toyota Corolla Gli is available at Rs1,604,000 after an increase of Rs584,000 and Corolla Gli (Ecotec) Rs1,729,000. While the diesel variants of Toyota Corolla Diesel 2.0.D was being sold at Rs1,095,000, which is now available at Rs1,604,000 after an increase of Rs509,000 and Corolla Diesel 2.0.D SL Rs1,809,000 after an increase of Rs629,000 or 53.31 per cent. In addition, Toyota introduced two new variants of its high-end products, Altis in 1.6 litre engine in 2011. Altis 1.6 MT is being sold at Rs1,839,000 and Altis 1.6 AT at Rs1,929,000. Atlas Honda company followed the suit by increasing it prices up to 61.63 per cent. Data shows that Civic i-VTEC MT is being sold at Rs1,778,000 after an increase of Rs369,000, Civic i-VTEC PT Rs1,898,000 after an increase of Rs449,000, Civic VTI Oriel MT Rs1,970,000 after an increase of RS421,000, Civic VTI Oriel PT Rs2,048,000 after an increase of Rs459,000, City MT Rs1,409,000 after an increase of Rs510,000 and City AT Rs1,550,000 after an increase of Rs591,000 or 61.63 per cent.